Page 37 of Upside Down Magic

“Butthey’re getting sick?” she asked a little too eagerly.

“Someonehad a slight hiccup, but it was fixed.”

“Aww, okay.”Hermouth dipped in disappointment. “Ifyou’re sure?”

“Verysure.You’resafe here, don’t worry.”

Sheblinked, clearly taken aback by the notion she might be in danger. “Oh.Sure, that’s great.”

“Excellent!Nowlet’s concentrate on the tea, okay?Ifanyone else comes in asking for a potion to ward off any paranormal sickness, give them a relaxation potion and don’t tell them what it is.”

“Isn’tthat kind of unethical?”

Askedby the girl who wanted an illegal love potion not two months ago. “Relaxinghelps with mental health, which helps your body’s general health.”

“Iguess that’s true.”

“Indeed.”Iturned toIanto find him fighting a smile.Hisphone chose that moment to ring, and he slipped into the back to take the call.

Idecided it was as good a time as any to leaveHuttonanother text asking him to call urgently, since he hadn’t answered my three voice messages.

Thefront door opened, andDrubreezed in.Iautomatically started preparing her coffee whileNataliaselected a chocolate muffin and presented it on a plate.

“Isee you’ve trained her well,”Drucommented.

“Nataliais a great addition to the shop, andI’mlucky to have her,”Ideclared proudly.

Nataliapreened at my words, andIalmost patted her on the head.Shifternot dog,Ireminded myself at the last second.

Druhuffed and made grabby hands toward the mug of coffee.Istudied her for a long moment.WasshejealousofNatalia?Shehadn’t been ofBrimstone, but maybe seeing another youngwoman in her space made her miss her job here.Thatwas so cute.

“What?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. “Iswear toGod,Hope, if you start crying again…”

“Cryingis a stress reliever.”Iset the mug in front of her. “Weshould all do it more often.”

Druthumbed toward the bead curtain. “Doit on your boyfriend’s shoulder, not in front of me.”

“I’lltry.Sayhave you heard?—”

“Uhoh.”

Iignored that very rude interruption. “Haveyou heard the rumors about paranormals choking on their own frozen tongues?”

“Frozentongues?”Shenodded in approval. “That’simpressive.”

“You’veheard?”

“Iheard about the water mage who had water coming out of his ears and the witch who woke up from a nap with the name of her sixth-grade crush written on her forehead.”

Ishuddered at that last one.Direfate indeed. “Andyou didn’t tell me rumors are going around?”

Shelifted her mug. “Coffeefirst.”

Myphone vibrated in my back pocket.Finally,Huttoncalling back.ButwhenItook a look at the callerID, it was another unknown number.Someonewanting a protection potion?Anotherbusiness owner demanding to get into theChristmasevent?Atthis pointIgave either a fifty-fifty chance.

“Yes?”Isaid into the phone.

“Avery, get to theB’n’Bnow,” a familiar croaky old voice demanded.

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